Epstein Documents Reveal Communications With Anil Ambani, Including Claims of Modi Representative Meeting

Washington: Newly released records from devices seized from Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced American financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, disclose a series of communications with Indian businessman Anil Ambani between 2017 and 2019.

These exchanges, consisting of text messages and emails extracted from Epstein's iPhone, involve discussions related to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as Epstein's efforts to position himself as a bridge between Indian entities and U.S. political figures.

The most notable interactions took place in May 2019, just weeks before Epstein's arrest on charges of trafficking underage girls, coinciding with the counting of votes in India's general election. From May 14 to May 20, Epstein and Ambani arranged a meeting scheduled for May 23—the day results confirmed Modi's resounding re-election victory.

On May 20, Epstein messaged Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to then-President Donald Trump, stating that "Modi [was] sending someone to see me on thurs" (Thursday, May 23). Email confirmations from Ambani's office indicate that Ambani arrived at Epstein's Manhattan residence at 9 East 71st Street that afternoon around 4:30 p.m. Later that evening, at approximately 9:05 p.m. EDT, Epstein texted Ambani: "today was a treat, nice seeing you."

Shortly before, around 8:23 p.m. EDT, Epstein informed Bannon of a "really interesting modi meeting." In the exchange, Epstein described the individual as "his guy" (Modi's representative), who reportedly stated that "no one in wash speaks to him" (referring to Modi), identified China as Modi's "main enemy" along with its regional proxy Pakistan, and claimed Modi "totally buys into your vision"—though the specific vision was not detailed. Epstein added that the representative's focus was on "stopping China" and suggested he could facilitate further arrangements.

The following morning, on May 24, at around 2:06 a.m. EDT, Bannon replied that he was preparing a one-hour program on Modi for an Indian audience, including American Hindu participants. Epstein noted Modi's upcoming inauguration and later messaged "Modi on board," proposing a connection between Modi and Bannon over shared anti-China concerns. He also suggested to Ambani that "Mr Modi might enjoy meeting Steve Bannon, you all share the China problem," to which Ambani responded affirmatively. No evidence in the documents confirms whether any such meeting took place.

It remains unverified whether Modi actually dispatched a representative, as Epstein claimed, or if Ambani himself was that person or if it involved someone else entirely. None of the reports so far have actually clarified anything regarding the claims.

Epstein, previously convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution and serving 18 months in prison, faced renewed scrutiny by 2017–2018 for his involvement in pedophilia and trafficking. The communications highlight his attempts to leverage connections amid these issues.

Some media outlets have also claimed that they have sought comment from Anil Ambani through WhatsApp, iMessage, and his company's corporate communications team regarding these details from the U.S. Department of Justice's "Epstein Library." This report will be updated upon receiving any response.

Ambani, chairman of the Reliance ADA Group following its 2005 separation from his brother Mukesh Ambani's businesses, saw his wealth peak at an estimated $42 billion in 2008, ranking him sixth globally according to Forbes. Under Modi's leadership, Reliance Defence participated as an offset partner in India's 2016 Rafale fighter jet deal, sparking controversy after former French President François Hollande suggested Indian insistence on the arrangement—a claim the Indian government rejected.

Reliance Infrastructure announced becoming debt-free in FY25 after settling Rs 3,300 crore. Ambani has encountered regulatory challenges, including a five-year securities market ban by SEBI in August 2024 and Enforcement Directorate actions in late 2025 and January 2026 attaching assets worth billions in alleged loan fraud cases, along with the arrest of a former Reliance Communications director.

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